Commissions

This painting, "Quintessence" was finished yesterday after a few weeks of stressful work trying to get it right.  The request was for a painting similar to one that had previously sold, only in pinks and yellows.  The last time I completed a commission piece was many years ago when I was working in watercolours and in a realistic manner.  Mixed media and acrylic in a non-representational style is another story.

This was quite the challenge for me. In trying to mix pinks, I was arriving at bubble-gum colours which made me very unhappy.  On the third attempt, I decided to work on 2 canvases at the same time and in colours that I like. The result was a 'letting go' of expectations and working on 2 at once was a very liberating experience too.  I was able to paint in my usual intuitive manner and the painting progressed quickly to my satisfaction and the second one is also coming along nicely.

I was very nervous when emailing the photo of my finished piece to the gallery where the commission was requested. The last thing I wanted to hear was that it was not acceptable to the gallery or client. I was prepared for,  and hoping for,  only minor tweaks  before varnishing and delivering.

To my delight, the gallery and clients were very pleased and all that was requested was for me to give it a name!

New experiences, though stressful, are such a thrill when there is a positive outcome! I have learned a lot about working on commissions and myself as well.  All that I needed to do was trust my instincts and inner voice and paint like I always do. In worrying every step of the way about whether the client would like this or that I put a muzzle on myself stifling my creativity totally.

Lesson learned!  Now to finish the second one for myself!

Productive Painting Time

                                         
                                           "Mind Games"

Summer weather is still here - the garden is calling to me BUT so is painting!  This 12" x 12" x 1.5" painting came together rather quickly for a change.  It is a relief to get a little one that I like in the middle of struggling with a large canvas - 36" x 48" x 1.5" and 3 works on paper to go with it.

The large one and companions are beginning to take shape and my mind is in the right place to tackle that big project.  My paintings are intuitive and emotional and a fairly clear head is needed to work out the puzzle that this kind of painting is!

A little diversion is sometimes needed - this painting was diversion #1 and a thorough house cleaning today was diversion #2.

Tomorrow it is Onward with the Brushes!!!!

Distractions

This is the result of over two weeks of painting away at this 30" x 30" canvas. A thick coat of Gesso over layers and layers of collage and paint and many, many hours of trying to work.

I love my home studio space but the open concept with no door is not working for me.  My dear
husband means well but doesn't understand the mindset of an artist working on a non-representational intuitive painting.  Constant interruptions and noise has made me think too much about something that should have no thinking whatsoever.  Impossible to do without peace and quiet.

My only solution is to buy some noise reduction headphones as my frustration level has come to a breaking point.  I now understand why studio space away from home is important. Not going to happen so I just need to relax and find a solution.

Perseverance

The title of this painting is "Patience" and it sums up my attitude towards my painting experience.

I have been on a journey of learning and discovery for 26 years now. It all started with classes in drawing, life drawing, graphic design, illustration and layout, black and white photography and development, oil painting, pastel painting, watercolour painting, intaglio and relief printmaking and various mixed media techniques and workshops.

Along the way I've been involved with many art organizations, co-op art galleries, outdoor and indoor art shows and a few studio tours.  My paintings have been shown in many small art galleries and gift shops in Ottawa and other towns and cities in Eastern Ontario.

Recently I have had the good fortune to be asked by the owner of a major fine art gallery here in Ottawa, Koyman Galleries, to show my work.  I am now a 'gallery artist' and have a permanent display space in this beautiful venue.  My challenge now is to create more artwork in 'my style' on larger canvases. Here's hoping 'Joe Public' will like what he sees enough to buy my work.

In general, I think creative people have to build a hard shell against negativity for what they do and why they do it. Pursuing a subject for the simple love of learning and enjoyment of the process is what is important to me and I want to keep that freshness of attitude in my mind going forward in this new direction.

Heather Assaf
Koyman Galleries

A New Series in "My Style"

These two paintings are the first in a new series I have been working on lately.  This style combines collage, printmaking and mixed media painting on canvas. For years I have been experimenting with many mediums and techniques and this is the end result!  For some artists, myself included, it takes a long time to develop an individual 'style'. I now feel that all the time spent learning is coming together and I'm very happy and relaxed painting in this way!

More to come!

A New Direction

I have been working away for many months on combining collage pieces that I am creating with random marks and lines with even more intuitive painting done with scrapers, pouring, spraying and finger painting.

The resulting works are, to me, very expressive and loose.  These are done from the heart and both fun and scary at the same time.

Exhibiting them will be a whole other thing too as they are quite different from my creations of the last few years.

I am happiest when learning new things and stretching myself in new directions and that is the main reason why I paint in the first place.

It's the putting them out there in the open for other people to judge that is the part of this art-making that I am not particularly fond of.

I know most artists share this feeling - that's just the way the cookie crumbles!

Alone Together

Because I work alone at home in a rural setting, it can get lonely and uninspiring, especially during an exceptionally long and cold winter. 

I recently joined a Thursday morning group of 6 people and this is what I produced on the first day.  I am very happy with the results of combining collage and paint in a very loose and gestural manner.  I've even got some great blues and blue-greens that come close to a robin's egg blue, one of my favourite colours!

The square one is 12" x 12" x 1.5" and I think a black float frame will jazz it up. The series of 4 will be framed in black frames with a white mat.

 After a winter of being frustrated and non-productive it is wonderful to be creating again!!

Focusing

This was a very busy and rewarding week - almost two weeks actually.

I've decided that a blog post each and every week is too much so I have geared down to twice a month. This way it gives me more time to finish things and possibly have something to say!

One of the 6 white canvases has turned into a vase of flowers.  It started out as an abstract but morphed along the way.  I'm thinking the deep freeze we have been in here this winter must have something to do with it.  Two more 8" x 8" canvases have been started - it would be nice to have three similar ones to be a little series but I won't know until I get going which direction they will take.  I am hoping for more vases with flowers!

This week also been a crocheting and knitting time. It all started with a friend wanting me to teach her how to crochet an infinity scarf.  I now have completed two of these scarves in different patterns and colours.  Turquoise for one; chartreuse for the other!  Next on the go is a knitted dish cloth - why I'm doing this is a mystery - the yarn just called out to me in the store!

I also read Neil Young's autobiography "Waging Heavy Peace" - an exceptionally good read!

So the next two weeks I will be on a mission to focus on more vase with flowers paintings with the goal of keeping my head in 'series' mode and not flying off in all kinds of other directions!

Happy Days

My goal has been reached this week!  Two new pieces have been finished which makes me very happy!

It feels very uplifting to have peaceful, creative time and get rid of that 'artist's block' anxiety that was wearing me down. Being able to create something from that relaxed, happy place of being in your own head and letting whatever is in there  come forth onto the canvas in it's own way is such a fun experience.

Starting another one right now!

Artist's Block!

So my goal of doing something artsy every week has kind of hit a snag - Artist Block!!!!
I have succeeded in working and re-working 2 small collages to the point that they are now in my trash bin.
The other 6 canvases shown above have been worked on and gessoed over quite a few times!
Now I have them all lined up staring at me with their blank white faces - not a happy sight!

This week has seen way too many interruptions - one of the major downfalls of having a home studio with a retired husband and a very senior dog.

I won't have time now to try anything artsy for a few more days.  This is making me very anxious and antsy as I want to DO something!!!

I know I can find my 'happy place' and concentrate on creating something just for my own peace of mind - one of these days!

I think some time on my treadmill will be useful right about now!

My consolation is that I know all creative people hit these roadblocks from time time and it will pass.  I just need this to pass quickly!!!

A New Year

Happy New Year!

This little painting is called "It's a Party" and I am featuring it here because it makes me happy!

It's so cold my mind has gone silly - -35 C with the wind chill today and for a few more!  Time to hit the Studio!!

Today is "tidy up day" - a little ritual I seem to need to do before doing something creative.

I have gessoed over two 12" x 12" canvases that I didn't like and am ready!

I thought today was Start Day but it seems the tidying up extended to replying to e-mails and making to-do lists.  So now it is tomorrow!!

No problem - No guilt - No expectations.  I have a play date with myself for tomorrow!!

I am going to make a new post every Thursday this year and report on my artsy goings-on for the week.

Even if I am the only one following my blog it will be good to document so I can see something happening!

That is my goal for 2014 - Make Something Artsy Happen Every Week!!!

Determination

Today's writing is about determination.  This painting was started many months ago and had to wait to be finished until I had recovered firstly from the Christmas season; secondly from a concussion; thirdly from a frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tear and lastly from an incredibly hot few months which left my brain pretty much fried as far as any creative impulses were concerned.

My injuries have healed and the weather has cooled off resulting in a welcome spurt of energy yesterday and today.  This one is now as finished as it's going to be.  A coat of varnish remains to be added and then the final touch which is a float frame with a natural clear finish and black interior.

Many times I have wanted to get out the gesso and start over completely.  There is something to be said for sticking with something until it tells you to stop.  Working on an abstract painting with no pre-planning is like doing a difficult puzzle.The spark of accomplishment feels good and I'm now looking forward to the next challenge.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

30" x 30"

12" x 12"

Well my plan of posting more often has melted - my last post was almost 2 months ago - My Bad!!
My excuse is TOO HOT!  So far this summer I have been spending most of my time trying to stay cool and keep my plants alive watering constantly.  We are lucky to be living on a very large river and are able to pump river water for irrigation AND jump in to cool off.

The oppressive heat and humidity has taken it's toll on my brain and any creative thoughts have been very few and far between.  Yesterday I had a day to myself and in the cooler temperature I did manage to get a first layer done for a 30" x 30" collage piece. It's not talking to me yet but at least it has been started.  The smaller one at 12" x 12" is almost finished - just needs some more contrast and oomph!

It feels good to be creating again and I am hoping to get a day or two this week to continue.  I am working on getting my own "oomph" back too!!!

Frustration

Today has been a very challenging day spent with my pile of scraps and handmade collage papers.  Trying to make a design out of  randomly ripped up pieces of paper is not an easy task and has proven to be a frustrating one this time.

As I chose my main colours and started out it seemed important to leave white spaces with pathways to the edges.  Now that I am almost at the boiling point trying to make that work my focus is about to change.

I was making decisions too soon and not leaving enough options open.  Tomorrow the white spaces will be obliterated - no biggie.

The decision making with this style of 'painting' has to be loose, tightening up only near the finish.  I was rushing these ones.

Maybe it was the music choice - mostly U2!  Tomorrow I will make a calmer choice and see what happens!!

Time to go for a walk and think about supper!

Time and Clutter

My topic for today is 'Clutter' and the idea began Friday morning when I started searching my house for my i-pod Shuffle. When it wasn't to be found in all the spots I thought I might have seen it last, the intense search began.  I looked in every drawer, closet, cupboard, shelf, basket, purse, jacket pocket etc. etc. and the more I looked the more intent I became on finding it.


While I was searching in my bedroom, I cleared out clothes from my dresser drawers and closet that I didn't like anymore.  In my art room I compiled  a box of art supplies, papers and canvases that I no longer needed. In the storage closet in the lower level I gathered two huge bags of clothes, shoes and purses as well as two 'mother of the groom' outfits from weddings 4 and 5 years ago.

Then I took a lunch break and while standing at the sink mixing my cottage cheese and apple I suddenly remembered where my Shuffle was!  There is a treadmill in the corner downstairs, facing the TV, with shoes and Shuffle at the ready just in case I actually want to use the machine.  Problem solved!

I took a drive  to town and delivered all the 'clutter' I had gathered to the Goodwill shop.  What a wonderful, euphoric feeling!

The subject of 'Time' came to mind - the fact that everyone always wants or thinks they 'need' more and the fact that we all have all the time that there is.

My project is now to continue clearing out unnecessary objects from my home; simplify my ideas as to what I want to accomplish with my art and also to pare down commitments to this and that, keeping only the ones that are important to me.

With less clutter crowding me I know I will be able to focus and concentrate on anything and everything much better and enjoy myself along the way.

“Yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.”
― Khalil Gibran

It's OK to Re-Think

Something was bothering me about this painting for a long time.  It is called 'Courage' and I found the section around the Chinese symbol  upsetting to me.  I finally decided to give it a good look and try a few options.  Blue and a calmer area called out to me.  I have a tendency to forget about leaving some quiet spaces in my paintings.  I am very happy with this one now - courage does need a calm attitude and the blue space does seem to be resonating outward amidst the chaos.

Another thing I am working on is more blog posts and making them short and sweet.  I will try and have something to say again tomorrow!

Happy Faces

It's been way too long between posts, but that's the kind of year it was. A year with joy and happiness with the birth of our first grandson in April. A time of stress and sadness seeing our second son's marriage end. Throw more stress in there with a broken ankle and psoriasis on my hands and feet which, after a year of agony, is finally getting better. Not the best environment for creativity!

There was a lot of success as far as sales go, which is always a boost to one's ego. The sunflower paintings started with one little plant in my garden and ended up with a total of 5 paintings, this one at 30" x 36" being the largest. It was fun to paint on canvas, which is relatively new to me, and to do a realistic subject. There will be a few more to come but I need to take a break and do something different. In retrospect, flowers always make me happy - my subconscious knew what I needed all along!

This summer I will be offering a workshop in collage - teaching being another new venture for me. Now to find my collage materials and get busy!!!!

I just got the news that this mixed media collage painting has gone to a new home.

In the past few months my abstract works have been selling which makes me very happy. I have been working on representational themes lately to be able to offer some variety in my shows. I live in a rural setting and most people around here don't 'get' abstracts.

Just goes to show you that perseverance does pay off!!!!!!!!

Silver Lining

I have been neglecting my blog entries lately and today is the day to get back to it.

On April 25, 2010 we welcomed our first grandchild, Michael Steno Assaf, into this world. It's been a great few weeks and I can't believe he will be one month old next week.

Needless to say, creating artwork took a backseat for a while.

Then, just when I was getting my gardening near completion for the start of the summer, I broke my ankle and am now confined pretty much to my house with a non-weight bearing cast and hopping about on crutches. I'm told that this will be the case for 4 weeks and, hopefully, not one minute more.

The good side of this scenario, now that my arm muscles and hopping leg are beginning to not ache as much, is that I can paint all I want! I am working on one of three unfinished pieces and hopefully by the end of next week will be starting another new one.

This cloud does have a silver lining! I will post pictures when the works are ready.

Another Day and a 'Definitely Maybe'

Well, the day was not entirely wasted. I managed to do a lot of organizing and paperwork, take care of phone calls and follow-ups, order frames, organize pick-ups and deliveries of old and new work to various locations, get some new plates cut and ready to start and touch up a print that was not quite 'there' - not quite sure if it is ready yet. Tomorrow looks clear to get some work done with no major interruptions. Now to comb the burrs out of the dog (for the third time today) and find something for dinner.